After 33 Years, A Little Unicorn Lands at Michael’s Neverland

After 33 Years, A Little Unicorn Lands at Michael’s Neverland

“When you wish upon a star, Makes no difference who you are…”

I’m not sure their worlds could’ve been any further apart… In 1981, Michael Jackson was on the verge of superstardom while a little baby horse was born into the toughest of circumstances far far away in a small town in Minnesota. In 1982, they both came into my life and my life would be never the same. And just a couple of days ago, all three of our lives came together for the first time in 33 years.

Even though I wasn’t aware of it at the time, looking back, 1982 was obviously a profound year for me. I was 13. I was so fortunate to grow up with two ponies ever since I was five, but now I was ready for my first “big” horse… someone of the likes of the Black Stallion from the famed books and movie at the time. Ironically, other than being a horse, Little Miss, didn’t resemble the Black Stallion in any way. Instead she was a neglected, malnourished yearling who’s mother had died when she was only three months old and was left out in a pasture to survive a Minnesota winter, all on her own. That’s nearly unheard of for a horse so young and it was a wonder she had survived at all. But something inside that special little girl knew if she could just hang on, the rest of her life would be the most magical and miraculous adventure… and one day even lead her to Michael Jackson’s Neverland. Her spirit was determined.

I’ll never forget that summer night I first saw her. She was obviously in need of rescuing. You could see her spine and ribs. Her coat was rough and you could pull it out in clumps. Her hooves were split and her body was gangly. But despite all of that, the sparkle in her eyes and the love and kindness in her heart grabbed mine and it was all over. I had to have her. Little did I know she would be one of my greatest angels and teachers in my life. Little did I know the journey that lie ahead.

Ironically, that was the same year that Michael Jackson came into my life, as he certainly did with so many. With the release of Thriller, this little music lover – thanks to my parents who were musicians and had music playing all the time – was captivated. Who was this Michael Jackson? Wow! Could he dance! He certainly had my attention.

Little Miss and Michael Jackson. Both a HUGE part of my young life, yet worlds apart. Unrelated. Or so I thought…

I have realized that sometimes it takes years to connect the dots and realize that life has had a “plan” for us all along and that nothing that happened was by accident; it all had meaning in the bigger picture, no matter how small.

Amazingly enough, my Little Miss “survived,” but she did more than that… she thrived. With tremendous love she bloomed into the most beautiful horse and companion! Together we rode through our shared adolescence with plenty of tough bumps, to say the least as she had to deal with just a bit of my teenage angst! Whew! Somehow we survived and thank God for that!

It was also during that time and in particular, the late ’80s, that a series of “coincidences” that involved Michael Jackson began to happen in my life. They were so surreal and unexplainable, I didn’t know what to do with them. Sometimes they scared me, leaving me to wonder, what in the world was happening? What was Michael Jackson trying to show or teach me about myself and life?

“The Book” by Brett Livingstone-Strong portraying Michael in a Renaissance setting. One of the intriguing and mysterious “messages” Michael sent me along the way.

In 1989, at the age of 20, I took the biggest leap of faith and moved, by myself, to California without knowing a soul! Gulp! Why? I don’t know, but my heart was calling me to trust. Oh my God. To trust what? Jumping off a cliff? Feeling the fear and doing it anyway? I seem to be sweating bullets here as I recall that time!

Sadly, I left my Little Miss in Minnesota, but with the determined dream of one day finding her a place in California too; she needed to be with me. That’s one thing I knew for sure.

My journey led me to the Santa Ynez Valley in October of 1989. In March of 1990, Miss boarded a huge horse transportation truck in the snowy winter of Minnesota and headed across the western United States, on her own, too. A week later, she was in the sunny Santa Ynez Valley and I was in tears! My girl was with me again thanks to a couple of angels, husband and wife, Mike and Susan, who offered their pasture as Miss’s new home and has been her home for the last 25 years!

In April of 1990, my family (mom, dad and my brother) miraculously followed and before we knew it, here we all were in California! What on earth? How did we get here?

The Michael synchronicities (formerly called “coincidences”) continued in the next couple of years eventually leading to my mom, Judi, being offered a job as a housekeeper at Neverland in 1993. She never even applied. Luckily, as one of the “perks” of the job, I got to visit Neverland several times with friends! What a blast! Unfortunately, my absolute BEST friend, Little Miss, was never in attendance.

After all of these (25) years of living in the Santa Ynez Valley and my Little Miss living within seven miles of Neverland, my mom and I decided it was only appropriate that Miss would get an opportunity to visit too, even if just to visit the gate. After all, it only seemed fair. She has been such a huge part of our amazing Michael Jackson story ever since the very beginning in 1982, and along with Michael himself, I believe both have been in cahoots on my life’s journey! They certainly know each other in the realm of spirit.

So, this past Sunday, was a magical day. It was a day when worlds that once felt so far apart actually came together. Along with Miss’s little friend, Josh, offering his moral support, Little Miss, the 34 year old, yet timeless magical unicorn got to visit Neverland for the first time! And as fate (or Michael) would have it, our dear friend, David Esdaile – Michael’s horse drawn carriage driver at Neverland in the late ’80s – would be her driver. So appropriate. So magical. And so Michael.

On the road to Neverland.

When I started to feel the call to bring Miss to Neverland a couple of months ago, it was easy to find all the reasons not to, but as I have learned along the way, when the heart calls, we must follow. It took a lot of “elements” to come together to make this little field trip happen and I am so grateful to all who contributed!

Thank you to Mom, David, Josh, Gigi and Stacey for all making Little Miss’s one-time journey to Neverland a reality! Also a special note and thanks to Stacey for making Little Miss’s Renaissance-like outfit to honor Michael’s regal and Renaissance spirit!

Miss & Josh arrive.

Little Miss with the Neverland gate in the background.

Miss liking the view on Figueroa Mountain Road

Miss and her “carriage driver”, David Esdaile.

Miss looking regal in honor of Michael

Me, Miss & Mom (with Michael in spirit)

Josh telling Miss how pretty she looks and how proud he is of her!

As Michael wanted us all to know… life is magical when we believe…

When you wish upon a starMakes no difference who you areAnything your heart desiresWill come to youIf your heart is in your dreamNo request is too extremeWhen you wish upon a star

Ah… what a day. What a moment. What a journey it’s been. Thank you, Michael & Miss!

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Lisa Brisse is an Exercise Physiologist, Heart-Centered Wellness Coach, Spinning Instructor, Motivational Speaker, Writer & Author of Michael Jackson: The Man in Our Mirror, A Reflection of Our Collective Soul. She has worked in the health & fitness field for over 22 years coaching people of all ages, health concerns and fitness levels in making healthy lifestyle changes, but also coaching them through old, defeating patterns that keep them stuck while helping them to live their lives to the fullest with heart, joy and passion. Early in her career, she worked as a physiologist at Centinela Hospital in Los Angeles, as well as 7 years at the world-renowned Pritikin Longevity Center. She also served as an adjunct faculty instructor at Pepperdine University (her alma mater) in 2002-2003, teaching a required course for incoming freshmen called, Health & Lifestyles. In 2001, she founded State of the Heart Fitness to continue her passion in educating, empowering and inspiring people to live their best life through exercise, nutrition, healthy stress management, & mindful awareness. Lisa has traveled extensively throughout the world. She loves music, reading, teaching her spinning classes, being out in nature, hanging with friends and family, and of course, spending time with her magical horse and companion of 34 years, Little Miss!

4 Comments

What a lovely thing to do, thanks for sharing, the photo’s are magical.

Lisa, I have to tell you, I finished your book last night and my tears were in full flow at the end. It is one of the most profound, heart warming and uplifting books I have ever had the pleasure to read. I just wanted to say how much I share your thoughts on Michael’s Mission and Life’s Journey and the meaning of our own Journey here on earth.
Thank you for having the courage to put your story into words, you have helped my healing process and your inspiration and passion for life has inspired me at a much needed time.
Thank you from my heart.
Helen-Marie
Love is the Answer (Facebook)

Dear Helen-Marie,
My apologies for my delay in responding to your comment… but I just read this and I want to tell you, my heart is smiling big. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. When I had my moments of doubting whether or not I should share my personal Michael story/experiences in a book, it is your words, as well as from others who have reached out and shared similar heartfelt sentiments that reaffirm that it was the right thing to do. It certainly wasn’t easy in any way, but Michael was there with me (and still very much is right now at this time and as I write) to encourage me to keep going. He keeps telling me it is a message that more need to hear. So thank you so much for sharing, Helen-Marie. I am happy that it has helped your healing process at this time in your life. That is the magic and I know Michael is so happy too!